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Home My WebLink AboutShrimp Farm RECEIVED / �L DEC 1 6 2014 390 Henrys Lane, Peconic, NY 11958 December 15, 2014 Southold Town Clerk Dear Supervisor Russell : Just what I need to accompany the helicopters all summer is the stench and flies of a shrimp factory. I googled "shrimp farm".The nearest one is in Amagansett, Multi Aquaculture Inc., located on "Industrial Zoned" land.You can read for yourself the reviews in Yelp.com,comments include, "smelly", "flies", "the place reeks", "there's also a filthy pool of water", "smells", "too gross", "attacked by flies" and that's located on "Industrial Zoned land". Tank raised shrimp and fish can be raised on dry land, miles from salt water. Sky 8 Shrimp Farm is in Stoughton, Mass., inland near Worcester, it is in an "Industrial Park". At the Southold Town Code Committee Meeting on 12/4/14, a draft of amendments to Chapters 219 and 280 of the Code of Southold Town where discussed by Supervisor Russell, no minutes where taken. The Town printed a meeting agenda, the following are quotes from this agenda. "280-13. Use regulations. In A-C, R-80, R-120, R200 and R-400 Districts..............B. Uses permitted..........(17) Aquaculture/ mariculture operations", ........"a minimum of 100 feet from any property line". At this meeting Supervisor Russell explained to me that aquaculture (fish factories) are presently permitted only in Southold's Marine Districts and this amendment would permit them in residential zones. He encouraged input from the public on this zoning amendment. Once this zoning is changed, the building goes up, the flies, stench and noise complaints will come to Town Hall, the "fish farmers" will claim protection under the NY State "Right to Farm Law." What about a processing plant and sales, "Right to Farm Law" again. The "fish farmers" will claim Agricultural District property tax exemption as our legitimate farmers presently do. I do not need the Route 48 Vineyards and Satur Farms problems here. Our home of 44 years is on 1/2 acre, the change in code would place the fish factory 100' from my property line, 160' from my bedroom window, I want to enjoy my yard. I urge you to re- focus, we cannot afford to pave over our open farmland with fish factories. Enclosed please find; 1. Town Board Work Session 11/5/2014, miss statements of facts by Planning Director Heather Lanza and or Tess and Todd Gordon as published in The Suffolk Times and southoldlocal.com. 2. Code Committee Meeting 12/4/14, agenda. 3. List of existing US shrimp farms and their z; ning. F Sincerely, ) John Skabry Sr. � r Southold Town Board Work Session 11/5/2014, miss statements of facts by Planning Director Heather Lanza and or Tess and Todd Gordon as published in The Suffolk Times and southoldlocal.com. 11/5/14," If the proposal comes to fruition, Celestial Shrimp would be the only shrimp farm in New York, Ms. Gordon said." 12/4/14 At the Code Committee Meeting Ms. Gordon admitted to all that"a shrimp farm is presently operating in Amagansett." Fact, Multi-Aquaculture, Amagansett in business more than 20 years, is presently raising tank*4i+;;.p. 11/5/14, "The property, if allowed with a zone change,would be ample enough to allow for a large buffer between Henry's Lane and a sub-station." 11/5/14, "Justice Louisa Evans reminded the board should be talking about zoning and not a specific parcel." Fact,The Planning Director has no business discussing or permitting a discussion of specific property rezoning,"Henry's Lane",this is spot zoning, illegal,the application of zoning to a specific parcel within a larger zoned area when the rezoning is usually at odds with current zoning restrictions. Fact,The Code Committee Meeting 12/4/14 agenda specifies"a minimum 100 feet from any property line." This not ample, some homes are only 60 feet from a back yard property line. 11/5/14 "The Gordons said they believed the parcel,which is now zoned residential would work with agricultural or light industrial zoning." Fact, Once again,The Planning Director has no business presenting or allowing the presentation of spot zoning. 11/5/14, "Councilman Jim Dinizio asked if there was a tasting room planned.The Gordons said while they considered the idea, pound for pound it doesn't pay, when the shrimp can just be sold outright." 11/5/14, "Todd Gordon has already been certified for the processing and distribution of seafood" Fact, The processing of shrimp will be a reality,once the camel's nose is under the tent, NY Right To Farm Law. 11/5/14, "a total of five buildings would be allowed on that property as of right" Fact, Five, impossible, roads, drainage, wetlands eat up the existing R-80 two acre zoning. Fact, Once again,the Planning Director has no business presenting or allowing the presentation of spot zoning. 11/5/14, "Southold Town Attorney Martin Finnegan reminded the board that fish farming is allowed under town code but the zone change was critical." Fact, Spot zoning again discussed. DRAFT FOR CODE COMMITTEE MEETING ON 12/4/14 WHEREAS,there has been presented to the Town Board of the Town of Southold, Suffolk County,New York, on the_day of ,2014,a Local Law entitled"A Local Law in relation to Amendments to Chapter 219,Shellfish and Other Marine Resources,and Chapter 280,Zoning, in connection with Aquaculture/Mariculture Uses"now,therefore, be it RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Southold will hold a public hearing on the aforesaid Local Law at the Southold Town Hall, 53095 Main Road, Southold,New York,on the^day of ,2014 at p.m.at which time all interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. The proposed Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Amendments to Chapter 219, Shellfish and Other Marine Resources,and Chapter 280,Zoning,in connection with Aquaculture/Mariculture Uses"reads as follows: LOCAL LAW NO. 2014 A Local Law entitled, "A Local Law in relation to Amendments to Chapter 219,Shellfish and Other Marine Resources,and Chapter 280,Zoning,in connection with Aquaculture/Mariculture Uses". DE IT ENACTED by the Town Board of the Town of Southold as follows: I. Purpose. H. Chapters 219 and 280 of the Code of the Town of Southold are hereby amended as follows: §219-4. Definitions. For-the pufpase ef this Chapter-,the teEms used herein are defined as foliows: Unless otherwise expressly stated the following terms shall for the purpose of this Chapter, have the meanings as herein defined Any word or term not noted below shall be used with a meaning as defined in Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, unabridged(or latest edition). AQUACULTURE/MARICULTURE—The cultivation,planting, containment or harvesting of products that naturally are produced in the freshwater or marine environments, including finfish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans and seaweed.,and the efefibs, oultivating stieh predue4s.,but exeluding the eonstfuetion of any building, an),filling or dr-edging or-!he eenstruetion of any ate regulating tY^ tlur I §280-4. Definitions. B. Definitions and Usages Unless otherwise expressly stated the following terms shall for the purpose of this Chapter, have the meanings as herein defined. Any word or term not noted below shall be used with a meaning as defined in Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, unabridged(or latest edition). AQUACULTURE/MARICULTURE—The cultivation planting containment or harvesting of products that are naturally produced in freshwater or marine environments including frnfrsh shellfish, mollusks crustaceans and seaweed §280-13. Use regulations. In A-C, R-80, R-120,R-200 and R-400 Districts, no building or premises shall be used and no building or part of a building shall be erected or altered which is arranged, intended or designed to be used, in whole or in part, for any uses except the following: B. Uses permitted by special exception by the Board of Appeals. The following uses are permitted as special exception by the Board of Appeals, as hereinafter provided, and, except for the uses set forth in Subsections B(1), (13) and(14) hereof,are subject to site plan approval by the Planning Board: (17) Aquaculture/mariculture operations including research and development which meet the following standards: (a) The aquaculture/mariculture operation shall be on a parcel that is at least 5 acres owned by the aquaculture/mariculture operator. (b) The structures used for aquaculture/mariculture operations shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from any propertyline. ine. §280-58. Use regulations. In the LIO District,no building or premises shall be used and no building or part of a building shall be erected or altered which is arranged, intended or designed to be used,in whole or in part, for any purpose except the following: A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted uses and, except for those uses permitted under subsection A(1)hereof, are subject to site plan approval by the Planning Board: (17)Aquaculture/mariculture operations including research and development which meet the following standards: (a) The aquaculture/mariculture operation shall be on a parcel that is at least 5 acres owned by the aquaculture/mariculture operator. (b) The structures used for aquaculture/mariculture operations shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from any propertyline. §280-62. Use regulations. In the LI District, no building or premises shall be used and no building or part of a building shall be erected or altered which is arranged, intended or designed to be used, in whole or in part, for any purpose except the following: A. Permitted uses. The following uses are permitted uses and, except for those uses permitted under Subsection A(I) and (2)hereof, are subject to site plan approval by the Planning Board: (16) Aquaculture/mariculture operations including research and development which - meet the following standards: (a) The aquaculture/mariculture operation shall be on a parcel that is at least 3 acres owned by the aquaculture/mariculture operator. (b) The structures used for aquaculture/mariculture operations shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from a major road. (c) The structures used for aquaculture/mariculture operations shall be set back a minimum of 70 feet from a side or rears and property line. III. SEVERABILITY If any clause, sentence,paragraph, section, or part of this Local Law shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,the judgment shall not affect the validity of this law as a whole or any part thereof other than the part so decided to be unconstitutional or invalid. IV. EFFECTIVE DATE This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon-filing with the Secretary of State as provided by law. Existing U.S. Shrimp Farm Zoning 1. Sky8 Shrimp Farm, Stoughton, MA Industrial Park, Industrial Zone 2. Blue Ridge Aquaculture,Martinsville,VA Industrial Park,Industrial Zone 3. Dairyland Shrimp, Westby, WI Industrial Park, Industrial Zone 4. Multi Aquaculture, Amagansett,NY Industrial Zone 5. Big Barn Shrimp Farm,Flora,IN Industrial Park,Industrial Zone Vje,�_ -uffafh Time. Nor di Fork shrimp farmers eye Peconic for farm bv: ! 13/E)5(1014?2- 3P;vi A shrimp named Bob visited the Southold Town Board last week. Bob—along with many other.shrimp—was raised and harvested by Todd and Tess Gordon in tanks located in the basement of their Laurel home. The couple was inspired to get into the shrimping business after the BP oil spill caused widespread damage to sea life in the Gulf of Mexico,they said. For the past two years,they've been receiving baby shrimp from a breeder in Florida and raising them to full- size. The shrimp are housed in tanks that are self-sustaining,as the water is cleaned by a recirculating aquaculture system,Ms.Gordon explained to officials. "We've been working on this a while,"Ms.Gordon said. _ Now the couple,which owns a start-up business Celestial Shrimp, is looking to expand its operation into a commercial space on a nine-acre lot on Route 48 in Peconic.They are hoping to construct a 54- oot wi e,27o- oot ong freshwater shrimp farm,where up to 300 to 400 pounds of shrimp could be harvested weekly,Ms. Gordon said. The property would need to be rezoned,requiring Town Board approval.That's why they were before the board last Wednesday. The wooded Peconic property is currently zoned for residential housing.Under current zoning,such an operation would only be permitted in one of Southold's marine districts,which are near waterfronts. The business model for Celestial Shrimp is comparable to year- round shrimp farms in Indiana,where aquaculture is thriving in an area known for its vast corn fields, the couple said. Much of Celestial Shrimp's baby shrimp will now arrive from RDM Aquaculture Inc.,a shrimp farm in Fowler,Ind.,Ms.Gordon said after the meeting. If the proposal comes to fruition,Celestial Shrimp would be the only shrimp farm in New York,Ms.Gordon said. To help bring to life their proposal,the couple brought Bob the shrimp to the meeting,where he delighted the board and audience members during Ms.Gordon's brief biology lesson on shrimp. "I think I just heard him say`l am dead man,don't change the code,' "Supervisor Scott Russell joked. The board said it would consider the zone change only after the proposal is reviewe y t le town Me committee. If Celestial Shrimp receives the zone change it would then need to submit a site plan to the Planning Board for approval prior to its opening. hitp://suffoll<times.timesreview.com/201 1/1+/53551/north-fork-shrimp-farmers-eye LOCAL Laurel couple proposes first-ever indoor Right now,the Gordons have their operation right in their home,in small Shrimp farm for Peso 1I c, Stag tanks,testing out the process before expanding. 2 t,,US,Fn,,, o N",---,,sm4.,2:2,I)Ol But,they say,they've given high-end eateries and chefs a taste,and Tweet 3evetyone who's sampled the shrimp is clamoring for a supply. 46 . The Southold Town board had an unexpected guest at Tuesday's work Locally,Gordon said,Erik's is"dying to get their hands on it,"and South session—an eight-inch shrimp named Bob. Fork restaurants including Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton and the East Hampton Golf Club,among others,have expressed interest. The super-sized crustacean was brought before the board by by Tess and "All the chefs Todd Gordon of Laurel,who hope to launch a new,indoor,business, ra>e've spoken to have asked when the facility will he bulk," Celestial Shrimp Farm,in Peconic—and if approved,it would be the first Gordon said, indoor shrimp farm in New York State. The proposed building would be 54'x 270 feet and 20 feet high,they said. The couple came before the board to outline the specifics of their plan,which The property,if allowed with a zone change,would be ample enough to would need the board to consider expanding the allowable uses within the allow for a large buffer betiveen Henry's Lane and a substation. existing residential zone to add fish farms as allowable. Justice Louisa Evans reminded the board should be talking about zoning and Currently,fish farming is only allowed on the town's marine-zoned parcels; not a specific parcel. the hope is that the Uusiness could be sited on nine acres of property The Gordons said they believed the parcel,which is now zoned residential, currently zoned residential on Route 48,just west of Mill Road in Peconic. would work with agricultural or light industrial zoning. The operation would involve water that is recycled back into a proposed 40 Councilman Jim Dinizio asked if there was a tasting room planned. tanks inside the building,which would be designed for aquaculture,and not allow sunlight,as a traditional greenhouse might."We don't want algae,that The Gordons said while they considered the idea,"pound for pound,it causes problems with oxygen,"Gordon said. doesn't pay,"when the shrimp can just be sold outright.The goal would be to raise and sell about 15,000 pounds of shrimp peryear,with eight to 12 tanks The pair brought samples of water and the shrimp to show that the product a month ready for hawesting each month,with 40,14.-foot tanks altogether, was clean and had no odor. and water aerated and circulated. Discussing the growth of tank farming across areas of the midwest and the Tess Gordon said supply could meet high demand periods such as the nation where seafood is not traditionally found,Gordon said on land,the summer season and Christmas,"a big fish holiday."A bookkeeper with shrimp can be cultivated in a controlled environment,without use of aquaculture background,Tess Gordon said the idea would be to hire two pesticides that might pose a threat,via runoff,to area waterways,which is employees to start,to have extra hands onboard. seen in operations in Asia. Todd Gordon has already-been certified for the processing and distribution of "Shrimp today is a poor source of protein because its born,bred and grown seafood,he said. in poor conditions,"Gordon said,adding that antibiotics banned in the United States can sometimes be found in shrimp bred elsewhere. Dinizio asked if the proposal opened the doors for other types of fish farming. The Gordons said tilapia,trout,or any other type of fish cold be farmed. Tess Gordon also said internationally,many-shrimp have suffered from Southold Town Attorney Martin Finnegan reminded the board that fish "early mortality syndrome,"that prevents the shrim p from growing out, farming is allowed under town code but the zone change was critical, "'.They're harti-esting them early to get them to the plate."Subsequently,she said,the cost for larger shrimp has`jumped." The entire operation would be sited in one building,the couple said;but a total of five buildings would be allowed on that parcel as of right,if allowed. But despite the issues across the board in raising shrimp,the American appetite for the shellfish continues to grow:According to a July,2014 by the "The taste between these and any other shrimp is night and day,"Todd New YorI.Times,shrimp ovettook canned tuna as the most-consumed r—A——A seafood per capita in the United States in 2oo2.The article also stated that Americans consumed an average of 3.8 pounds of shrimp in 2012,twice the Councilman Bob Ghosio asked if the taste of wild caught shrimp was better. amount three decades ago,according to the National Oceanic and The Gordons said almost all shrimp consumed in the United States today is Atmospheric Administration.But,the article states,most of the shrimp eaten frozen and from areas such as Asia,and all farm grown."Very little shrimp in the"comes from farms in Latin America and in Southeast Asia,where today is wild and most of that stays in the Gulf states,"he said. environmental and human rights experts have long identified labor rights The town board took tarns holding Bob the shrimp. abuses,hazardous working conditions,damage to ecosystems and the use of hormones and antibiotics." "I can hear that shrimp saying,`Don't change the code.I'm a dead man,"' And that's just what the Gordons hope to address,right at home in Southold. Supervisor Scott Russell joked. "The shrimp provided by Asia and South America is just not as good as what The board asked the couple if any other parcel in the town's current marine- we can provide,"Todd Gordon,a chef,said. zoned districts,might be suitable.The Gordons said none were available or within their budget constraints. He added that oftentimes,those hankering for scampi buy shrimp only to find the a"metallic"taste,or one that hints of iodine. The supervisor suggested the idea be sent to the town's code committee for review. http://southoldIocaI.CoM/2014/11/05/laurel-coupie-proposes-first-ever-indoor-shrimp-farm-peconic-state/ November 29,2014 32635 Route 48, 11958-Google Maps Page 1 of 1 Address 32635 County Road 48 c Peconic, NY 11958 ,T N. s llrf rr y I — t'I•p �4 4 �F Map data 02014 Google CY2014 Google Stop The Proposed Shrimp Factory In Peconic This 9.59 acre property is located north of Route 48, east of Mill Rd. west of Henrys Lane and south of the L1PA sub-station. On this map it is marked with the letter "A". Southold Town Tax Map number 74.2-22.1 The Southold Town Assessors Office lists the property owner as.......... Spartan Holding Co., 101 Bracken Wood Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 max' ',At,-, tj ►C HosplW 'hT.BiC,tt...T baxco ,, =.80 27 -8340 • WWNV stjude.o�•g -TC L ids Wr✓ � � 1 opt y«� 'z/ •!•;�„r.:qr^•.e:�:;r•,«i'IFt'•, �.F.,. �..•�•r,ii, irti....,rsrF�.•.••! +:'S:•�!/ •d•t#:r'.,�71 vr-9NiF;�'IF.::,fie,; ...��:: •+•:-- h.•+r re .t•T•+i i.. .,. a... K f rt a +. ,win A � — I Zooka s 1�fl 1 ;s r t, + • a wis Oki A"",-,4 ;�� a b $ j s � �� 44. oll x; Mon KAN, '' X. VIVO 0-1 Vol Fit ST11,' w ., �P { to t±"_ 't, e "e' , ° ° ma` TWA 1 � n A :Q0 WAV 04 of #. a f�5.`� � �` g'�'�'�� of _ •`��,� �< � `� y k w A a. € ) • ". d R �ItF� �r • s t �i a 61 s �E 4 �k�L�.M2iitr '�� •i�, tr:.�� 'bei• • • .• • • i •i 0• K.I.L. •I F. •• •w K4 1 i•R$•:+F•• Page 1 of 1 Print- Maps ng Maps Cranberry Hole Rd, Amagansett, NY 11930 Multi Aquaculture Systems Inc. 429 Cranberry Hole Rd. Amagansett, LI, NY 11930 East Hampton Industrial Zone on i?iuse m.b?ngcram t-hn, f ,t-lps ow y s' a w 3t i r h N 4 r ? rf E r .t f ry a a . http://www.bing.com/maps/print.aspx?mkt=en-us&z=18&s=h&cp=40.996834,-72.082019&poi=Cranberry%20Hole%20FUMQ0P201.4 u R^e' { �} a TWA Q t ±. 7� - g' § n v � " + Mal Of `may".,$, oily At Cox q�, oil 1 2 IRA. too W ovum, I IM MOM ME ' { 1 a E I A i E a � � �, 'O r� f',• �`ads 4. a�'+e�- q7. �3a v.h :.'^�'` tt�Sks; R' Blue Ridge Aquaculture Inc. 555 Industrial Pkwy. Ridgeway, VA 24148 Industrial Zoned � } a x - s' " { h 3`t ..3 z 'ji '. s WIM c re C 3